Notre Dame football HC Marcus Freeman’s first depth chart leaves several big questions

The Notre Dame football program is just days away from kicking off their 2026 season with a home game against Wisconsin. The Fighting Irish are looking to bounce back after missing the playoffs altogether this past season in controversial fashion.

Recently, head coach Marcus Freeman released the team’s first official depth chart for the upcoming season, and some analysts had questions, comments, and concerns.

“Your first Notre Dame depth chart and injury report of 2026: Notably, no official QB2 or CB starter opposite Leonard Moore. Also: WR Quincy Porter is out,” reported Matt Fortuna of The Inside Zone on X, formerly Twitter.

CJ Carr will be getting the start at quarterback for Notre Dame this year, but as Fortuna noted, the depth chart didn’t name a backup plan for him, so it will be interesting to see who enters the game if Carr were to exit early.

Pete Sampson of The Athletic also broke down some of the positional battles still yet to be resolved with less than a week to go until the season.

“Noah Grubbs OR Teddy Jarrard as QB2. Sullivan Absher OR Styles Prescod at RG. DJ McKinney OR Jayden Sanders at CB. Cooper Flanagan OR James Flanigan at TE. Matt Jeffrey among the top six wide receivers, backing up Jordan Faison as the field receiver,” he wrote on X.

Overall, Notre Dame is looking to get off to a hot start this year after their 0-2 opening act to the 2025 season ended up dooming them, despite finishing the season with ten straight wins.

The Fighting Irish will begin that quest on Sunday with a home game against the Wisconsin Badgers.

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